The nude has been a prominent subject of photography since its invention, & played an important role in establishing photography as a fine art medium. Fine art nude photography is a genre of fine-art photography which depicts the naked human body with an emphasis on form, composition, emotional content, and other aesthetic qualities. Since the age of Mapplethorpe, the penis is more & more on display in fine art photography. In the mid-20th century the likes of Heffner & others were defamed as vile, only to later be heralded as champions of liberation, & then accepted as the 'norm.' It seems that the vice is in the eye of the beholder, not necessarily the image or the image maker. In the 21st century, the youth culture freed from false religiosity & equipped with cell phones regularly send 'selfies' or 'dick-pics,' sexually-explicit photographs of themselves to each other. Since sex & emotions are natural-there is no reason to pretend that they are not a part of the new aesthetic in photography. Equally, many do not have the inhibitions imposed upon prior societies, so additional view of equality emerged from liberated people. Bottom line, be fearless, keep it interesting & please, no glamour shots!
L.A. Photo Curator is proud to have John Matkowsky as this months curator for The Nude as Art. Matkowsky runs the Los Angeles drkrm, a black & white darkroom as well as exhibit space that specializes in more under-the-radar, counterculture presentations that support documentary & photo-journalistic work & alternative photographic processes. The national magazine, Juxtapoz, has called Matkowsky a "visionary" for his edgy, dramatic showcases. For more info about Matkowsky go to: http://www.drkrm.com

A percentage of artist fees will go to John's charity of choice- http://www.soidog.org and also to the first place winner's favorite charity.